Nine in 10 large UK firms have fallen prey to cyber-attacks, costing the British economy billions of pounds, new figures suggest. These “chronic” cyber threats stem from hostile nations, terror outfits and hacktivists, a leading cyber-security chief says.

Incidences of hackers attempting to steal confidential data
across the UK are rising steadily, government-commissioned
research released Tuesday suggests.

“Breaches are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often
involving internal staff to amplify their effect, and the impacts
we are seeing are increasingly long-lasting and costly to deal
with,” he said.

PwC’s research was unveiled at Britain’s Infosecurity conference
on Tuesday.

Speaking at the event, GCHQ’s director general of cyber security,
Ciaran Martin, said it is impossible to construct a “cyber
security umbrella” over the nation.

He said the cyber threats UK firms and organizations face
“show little sign of abating,” and generally stem from
hostile states, terror groups and hacktivists.

Martin said he was
“genuinely surprised” by the broad range of
organizations targeted by cyber criminals.